Lyrica

What is LYRICA used for?

LYRICA is a prescription medicine used to help relieve neuropathic pain associated with:

• Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (pain from damaged nerves due to diabetes)
• Postherpetic neuralgia (persisting pain following a rash due to shingles)
• Damaged nerves in the spinal cord

LYRICA is also used to help relieve pain associated with fibromyalgia.

What does LYRICA do?

LYRICA can relieve pain. Some patients taking LYRICA showed improvement as early as the first week of treatment.

Learn More: Taking this medication >

What should I know about taking LYRICA?

Before you use LYRICA, tell your doctor or pharmacist if:

• You are taking any other prescription medicines including narcotic pain medicines like oxycodone, nonprescription medicines, or natural/herbal remedies
• You have any kidney problems
• You are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or think you might be pregnant
• You are breastfeeding. LYRICA passes into breast milk and it is not known if it can harm your baby. You and your healthcare provider should discuss whether you should take LYRICA or breast-feed, but you should not do both.
• You have ever had an allergic reaction (itching, wheezing, hives or swelling of the throat or face) to pregabalin or any of its nonmedicinal ingredients
• You have a history of heart disease called congestive heart failure.
• You have a history of lower gastrointestinal problems (such as constipation or blocked or paralysed bowel), or you are taking medication(s) that may cause constipation.

While you are taking LYRICA, don't start any new medicines, including natural or herbal medicines, without talking to your doctor first. Your doctor or pharmacist will know which medicines are safe for you to take together. LYRICA does not interfere with birth control pills.

You may have a higher chance for dizziness and sleepiness if you take any of the following drugs with LYRICA:

• Alcohol
• Medicines for anxiety (such as lorazepam)
• Narcotic pain medicine (such as oxycodone)
• Any medicines that make you sleepy

You may have a higher chance of weight gain or swelling if you take the antidiabetic pills Avandia (rosiglitazone) or Actos (pioglitazone) with LYRICA.

How do I take LYRICA?

You can take LYRICA with or without food. Your doctor will tell you how much to take and when to take it. Avoid alcoholic drinks while taking LYRICA.

Learn More: Safety information >

What are the most important things I should know about LYRICA?

LYRICA may cause serious allergic reactions. Call your doctor right away if you think you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction:

• swelling of the face, mouth, lips, gums, tongue or neck
• any trouble breathing
• a rash, hives or blisters.

LYRICA may also cause dizziness and sleepiness. Don't drive a car, work with machines, or do other dangerous activities until you know how LYRICA affects how alert you are. Ask your doctor when it is okay to do these activities.

LYRICA may also cause problems with your eyesight, including blurry vision. Call your doctor if you have any changes in your eyesight.

Pregnancy Registry: If you become pregnant while taking LYRICA, talk to your doctor about registering with the North American Antiepileptic Drug Pregnancy Registry. You can enroll in this registry by calling 1-888-233-2334. The purpose of this registry is to collect information about the safety of anticonvulsant medicines during pregnancy. Any woman who is currently pregnant and is taking antiepileptic drugs for any reason, can enroll in the registry. Information on the registry can also be found at the website http://www.aedpregnancyregistry.org/.

Please consult the Consumer Information leaflet contained in your product package for complete information.

What other side effects can LYRICA cause?

Side effects from LYRICA are usually mild. In addition to those listed above, the most common side effects of LYRICA are dizziness, sleepiness, blurred vision, dry mouth, swelling of the extremities, weight gain, trouble concentrating, lack of energy, muscle weakness, constipation, and forgetfulness.

A small number of patients taking a drug of this type may experience thoughts of suicide. Tell your doctor immediately if this occurs.

When you start LYRICA, you may get sleepy or experience dizziness. Avoid potentially hazardous tasks: do not drive a car or operate machinery until you are sure that this medication does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery or until you get used to LYRICA.

When LYRICA is taken with other medications that may cause constipation (such as opioid pain medications), it is possible that gastrointestinal problems may occur (such as constipation or blocked or paralysed bowel).

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you have any unexpected effects while taking LYRICA, contact your doctor or pharmacist.